Michael van Gerwen splits from wife Daphne as reason behind last-minute Dutch Darts Championship withdrawal confirmed
Three-time PDC World Champion Michael van Gerwen has withdrawn from the 2025 Dutch Darts Championship in Rosmalen, scheduled for May 23–25, 2025, following the announcement of his separation from his wife, Daphne Govers. The 36-year-old Dutch darts legend confirmed the personal news in a heartfelt statement posted on X on May 24, 2025, revealing that the end of his 11-year marriage prompted his decision to pull out of upcoming tournaments. “It is with great sadness that I inform you that Daphne and I have decided to end our relationship,” Van Gerwen wrote. “As a result, I have withdrawn from the upcoming tournaments. I am sorry to disappoint my fans, but I trust that they will understand my decision. We are going through difficult times and ask everyone to respect our privacy during this difficult time.”
Personal and Professional Struggles
Van Gerwen, ranked world No. 3, was set to face Mickey Mansell in the first round on Saturday evening, but his withdrawal grants Mansell a bye into the third round, per Sky Sports. The announcement follows a challenging 2025 season for “Mighty Mike,” marked by a rare failure to qualify for the Premier League Darts play-offs, only the second time in 13 appearances, after a 6-2 loss to Nathan Aspinall in Sheffield on May 22, 2025. Aspinall noted Van Gerwen’s uncharacteristic demeanor, telling Sky Sports, “I don’t know what is going on, but he didn’t look himself again. Even on that stage, he was giving up,” while close friend Vincent van der Voort remarked to AD, “I don’t see someone who wants to win at all costs.”
A 17-Year Relationship Ends
Van Gerwen and Daphne, who began dating in 2008 and married in 2014—the same year he won his first PDC World Championship—have two children, daughter Zoe, 7, and son Mike, 5. Daphne, a former hairdresser with 38,000 Instagram followers, frequently supported Van Gerwen at tournaments and shared family moments from holidays in Ibiza and Disneyland. The couple’s split, after 17 years together, has shocked the darts community, with fans on X, like @DartsNow_, expressing sympathy: “Heartbreaking for MVG, wishing him strength.”
Uncertain Future and Lasting Legacy
The Dutchman’s withdrawal extends to uncertainty about his participation in the European Darts Open in Leverkusen next week, as he alluded to taking a break from multiple events. His 2025 struggles, including no major titles and a shoulder injury that forced him to skip a Premier League night in Berlin, compound the personal challenges. Despite this, Van Gerwen’s legacy—47 PDC majors, including a record seven Premier League titles, and a net worth estimated at £6 million—remains unmatched, save for Phil Taylor.
Tournament Impact and Community Response
As the darts world rallies around him, Van Gerwen’s focus shifts to his family, with the Dutch Darts Championship proceeding without its home star. Josh Rock, the defending champion, headlines the event, which Dartsnews.com notes is broadcast on PDC.tv.
